Welwyn Hatfield

Welwyn Hatfield's population expanded in the decade leading up to the most recent census. Data from the census show there were changes in marriage, ethnicity and religion.

The population passed 100,000

In the 10 years leading up to the latest census, the population of Welwyn Hatfield increased by 13%, from almost 97,600 to 111,000.

The addition of just under 13,000 people means this area's population increased faster than the rate of growth across England (up 7.9% since the 2001 census).

In 2011, Welwyn Hatfield was home to, on average, 6.1 people per football pitch-sized piece of land (about 7,140 square metres).

Population density was higher than the average across Eastof England

Population density (usual residents per 7,140 square metres) across Eastof England, March 2011 (larger dots represent greater increase since 2001)

A younger Welwyn Hatfield

Census 2011 data also show a change in the local population's average age.

Between the last two censuses, the median age of Welwyn Hatfield decreased by two years, from 38 to 36 years.

This city had a lower average age than Eastof England and became somewhat younger than the average local authority area across England (39 years of age).

The fall in age was because of an increase of just over 6,000 people between the ages of 20 and 29 years, while the population between 70 and 79 years decreased by just under 500.

About 17% of people in Welwyn Hatfield are aged between 20 and 29 years

Percentage of usual residents in England, East and Welwyn Hatfield by 10 year age band, March 2001 and March 2011

More single people in Welwyn Hatfield

This area saw England's third-largest rise in the proportion of people who had never been married or in a civil partnership.

In 2011, just under 4 in 10 (39%) people aged 16 and over in Welwyn Hatfield said they were single, compared with 31% in 2001. The percentage that said they were married decreased from 51% to 45%.

The largest increase occurred in Lincoln (from 34% to 44%) followed by Newcastle upon Tyne (from 38% to 47%).

The proportion of people who had never married or entered a civil partnership in Welwyn Hatfield increased by 8.2 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents aged 16 and over in Welwyn Hatfield, Eastof England and England that said they were single, March 2001 and March 2011

Ethnicity in Welwyn Hatfield

The number of people in Welwyn Hatfield from the White ethnic groups increased from just over 91,000 in 2001 to about 93,000 in 2011. However, as a percentage of the total population, this represented a decrease from 94% to 84%.

The percentage decreased by more than the average across Eastof England (from 95% to 90%) and the average across England (from 91% to 85%).

The number of people in Welwyn Hatfield from the Asian or Asian British ethnic groups increased from just under 3,100 in 2001 to about 8,700 in 2011 (from 3.1% to 7.9%). The number of residents from the Black, Black British, Caribbean or African ethnic groups increased from just over 1,300 to about 5,000 (from 1.4% to 4.5%).

Just under 2,800 people (1.4%) said they were from Mixed/multiple ethnic groups (White and Asian, White and Black African, White and Black Caribbean or Other Mixed), up from just over 1,300 in 2001 (2.5%).

There are many factors that can cause changes to the ethnic profile of an area, such as migration and varying fertility rates between ethnic groups. Changes may also be caused by differences in the way individuals choose to self-identify between censuses.

The population from the White ethnic groups in Welwyn Hatfield decreased by 9.6 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents in England, East and Welwyn Hatfield by ethnicity, March 2001 and March 2011

Religion in Welwyn Hatfield

The number of people in Welwyn Hatfield that described themselves as having no religion increased from just under 18,000 in 2001 to just under 31,000 in 2011. This represents a change from 18% to 28% of the local population.

The percentage increased by less than the average across Eastof England (from 17% to 28%), but at a similar rate to the average across England (from 15% to 25%).

The number of people in Welwyn Hatfield that described themselves as Christian decreased from about 68,000 in 2001 to just under 64,000 in 2011 (from 70% to 58%). The number of people who did not disclose their religious affiliation decreased from just over 8,000 to just under 7,900 (from 8.2% to 7.1%).

About 2,800 people (1.1%) said they were Muslim, up from just over 1,100 in 2001 (2.5%).

There are many factors that can cause changes to the religious profile of an area, such as migration and varying fertility rates between religious groups. Changes may also be caused by differences in the way individuals choose to self-identify between censuses.

The population without a religion in Welwyn Hatfield increased by 9.8 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents in England, East and Welwyn Hatfield by religion, March 2001 and March 2011

Rise in private renting

The percentage of households in Welwyn Hatfield that rented privately increased from 6.6% to 14% in the 10 years leading up to the latest census.

The proportion that lived in social housing remained close to 27%, while the percentage of Welwyn Hatfield households that owner their home decreased from 63% to 57%.

The proportion of privately rented homes increased here at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of Eastof England (from 8.6% in 2001 to 15% in 2011). Across England, the proportion increased from 9.9% to 17%.

Private renting in Welwyn Hatfield increased by 7 percentage points

Percentage of households in Welwyn Hatfield, Eastof England and England that rented privately, March 2001 and March 2011

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